ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Chloride cell
;
Gill filaments
;
Ultrastructure
;
Ion-transport
;
Macrophthalmia stage
;
Lampetra fluviatilis (L.)
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The interplatelet epithelium of the gills of freshwater and seawater adapted macrophthalmia stages of the river lamprey, Lampetra fluviatilis, was studied by electron microscopy. Three main cell types: basal, ion-excretory and superficial cells were identified and described. Ion-excretory cells were exposed to the environment in sea water but covered by a layer of superficial cells in fresh water. Electron-dense secretory granules in the apex of the cell were more abundant in fresh water. In fresh water, a few of the superficial cells contained numerous mitochondria and were identified as ion-uptake cells. In view of the scarcity of ion-uptake cells, the possibility that the ion-excretory cells are also responsible for ion-uptake in fresh water is discussed. Phagocytic removal of degenerating ion-excretory cells may be an important mechanism for the conservation of materials in a starving animal.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00215994
Permalink